Impetigo: Causes, Treatment, and What You Need to Know

When a child develops red sores around the nose or mouth that turn into honey-colored crusts, it’s often impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Also known as school sores, it spreads easily through touch, towels, or shared toys — and it’s one of the most common skin infections in children under 5. But adults can get it too, especially if they have eczema, insect bites, or minor cuts that get infected.

Impetigo isn’t usually dangerous, but it doesn’t go away on its own without treatment. Left untreated, it can lead to deeper infections like cellulitis, a serious skin infection that spreads into deeper tissue and can require hospitalization. It’s also easy to confuse with other rashes — like chickenpox or eczema — which is why many parents delay care. The good news? Most cases respond quickly to topical antibiotics like mupirocin or oral ones like cephalexin. Treatment usually clears it up in 7–10 days.

What makes impetigo tricky is how easily it spreads. One kid with it in daycare can start an outbreak. That’s why washing hands, keeping nails short, and not sharing towels or bedding matters so much. It’s not about being dirty — it’s about bacteria finding a way in through broken skin. Even minor scrapes from play can become entry points.

Some people wonder if natural remedies help. While honey or tea tree oil get mentioned online, there’s no strong evidence they work as well as prescribed antibiotics. And using them instead of real treatment risks letting the infection spread or worsen. The science is clear: antibiotics are the fastest, safest route.

And while impetigo itself is a skin issue, it’s often tied to other conditions. Kids with eczema are more prone to it. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems face higher risks. Even poor hygiene or hot, humid weather can increase chances of infection. That’s why knowing the signs — red sores, blisters, crusts — and acting fast matters more than waiting to see if it clears up.

You’ll find real-world advice here on how to treat impetigo at home, when to see a doctor, how to stop it from spreading to others, and what to do if it comes back. We’ve gathered posts that cover everything from antibiotic choices to managing outbreaks in schools and daycare centers. No fluff. Just what works.